Goa observed its 58th anniversary of Liberation with traditional solidarity and political leaders across the spectrum showered their yearly good wishes on the occasion. President of India Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to the martyrs who were behind the struggle to free Goa from the colonial rule in 1961. He took to twitter to wish Goa a bright and prosperous future. The question 58 years later: is Goa truly basking in all its glory?
As we cherish the moment and rise to salute the supreme sacrifices of the freedom fighters in all devotion every year, the people of Goa and its leaders also need to live up to the vision they had for this tiny piece of paradise. While we look back with pride for being liberated from the Portuguese rule, it is on this occasion that every Goan needs to renew vows of taking Goa forward in the true spirit of Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn.
As we reconcile with the past and present and introspect on the road thus far, a quaint thought of emptiness and defeat dampens the Liberation mood. There is a stark contrast in Goa that we envisioned and the era that we live in. A certain amount of fatigue and helplessness has begun to creep in shattering the euphoria that engulfs this feeling of being liberated.
Goa can boast of its infrastructural developments which far outpace several others that got statehood much earlier. The communal harmony and peace that prevails in this State once billed as Rome of the East is a shining example to other States which are torn apart on sectarian lines. But in chasing development, Goa’s identity, the fulcrum of Goa’s Liberation narrative is steadily fading.
A Liberated Goa has failed to contain its people and create the right employment opportunities. There is a massive outflow and Goans have moved out in search of better living and greener pastures because they are disillusioned in their liberated land. The development boogey has completely trampled upon the interests of the State and its youth, and no amount of doles can set this right.
A liberated Goa was seen as an international tourism destination, but what are we selling? Narcotics, gambling, booze, beaches, nightlife, sex and sleaze? Is this the liberated Goa our freedom fighters envisioned? And is this our identity to the outside world?
The picture of a liberated Goa was an enchanting nature’s paradise nestled in lush greens. Not a Goa where huge chunks of green lands and agricultural fields have turned into settlement areas for vested interests.
Fifty-eight years later, we continue to struggle to get to the basics of water and electricity and sometimes even senior citizens have to fight for these. Is this a liberated Goa we wished for?
We the ordinary citizens and leaders need to look back and introspect on our failings instead of making an outward show of Liberation. Let’s get the basics right first.
